In special measures: Manchester United 16/17

It was, as Ruud Gullit remarked, a high quality encounter prior to the sending off. The real point is that the game-changing red card was unwarranted. That Martin Keown, Alan Shearer, Gary Lineker and Frank Lampard largely saw no real problem with it simply compounds the problem. If the precedent established here - that a player can be sent off for the tamest of tackles - because a colleague of his had transgressed a moment previously, would probably be found to be not even legal if it was challenged.

Lineker is his usual smug way said it was 'stupid' of Herrera to attempt to tackle Hazard because the referee had just spoken to Jones and Smalling. Had Herrera been warned? No. Was the referee's comments communicated to him? No. Yet off he had to go anyway according to the pundits.

Far wilder tackles/diving went entirely unpunished thereafter.

On wider level the game is now too fast for officials. There are also under too much pressure. From the second guessing media but also from their employers. A common sense decision can nonetheless be struck down by the ref's employers because it didn't follow whatever the agreed protocol is that week. The ref can then be relegated. Isn't that what happened after the Barcelona game?

If the ref can't be expected to get all the big decisions right, because the interpretation of the laws has become too subjective, then its time to take all the game-changing decisions out of the hands of the officials on the pitch all together.

It's a relatively weak competition and Utd would be unfortunate not to win it. Celta and Lyon are the most attractive teams from what I have seen and Lyon in particular had a really good win over the two legs against Roma. Mourinho dismissed any merit Chelsea winning this competition when he took over from Benitez but times have changed for both him and Man Utd and I think he would see it as would a welcome trophy and some sort of benchmark for his first year.

It's a relatively weak competition and Utd would be unfortunate not to win it. Celta and Lyon are the most attractive teams from what I have seen and Lyon in particular had a really good win over the two legs against Roma. Mourinho dismissed any merit Chelsea winning this competition when he took over from Benitez but times have changed for both him and Man Utd and I think he would see it as would a welcome trophy and some sort of benchmark for his first year.

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Yep, it really would be progress for united to win or get to the final of the Europa league. Top 4 is still possible though, without looking, I imagine they have to play most of the other top teams in the next few weeks. All the talk of 'enemies' was ridiculous, but the injuries, fixtures and suspensions are mounting. Mourhino's problem is he can't prioritise Europa or Prem as routes into the CL next year, has to fight on both fronts. Admittedly, a problem most teams would love to have, bit it does put them at a disadvantage vis a vis the 5 teams above.

Yep, it really would be progress for united to win or get to the final of the Europa league. Top 4 is still possible though, without looking, I imagine they have to play most of the other top teams in the next few weeks. All the talk of 'enemies' was ridiculous, but the injuries, fixtures and suspensions are mounting. Mourhino's problem is he can't prioritise Europa or Prem as routes into the CL next year, has to fight on both fronts. Admittedly, a problem most teams would love to have, bit it does put them at a disadvantage vis a vis the 5 teams above.

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Easiest route to the CL is the Europa even though it means playing in the qualifiers which also applies to fourth place. CL qualification is a positive in recruiting players which Mourinho will demand.

It was, as Ruud Gullit remarked, a high quality encounter prior to the sending off. The real point is that the game-changing red card was unwarranted. That Martin Keown, Alan Shearer, Gary Lineker and Frank Lampard largely saw no real problem with it simply compounds the problem. If the precedent established here - that a player can be sent off for the tamest of tackles - because a colleague of his had transgressed a moment previously, would probably be found to be not even legal if it was challenged.

Lineker is his usual smug way said it was 'stupid' of Herrera to attempt to tackle Hazard because the referee had just spoken to Jones and Smalling. Had Herrera been warned? No. Was the referee's comments communicated to him? No. Yet off he had to go anyway according to the pundits.

Far wilder tackles/diving went entirely unpunished thereafter.

On wider level the game is now too fast for officials. There are also under too much pressure. From the second guessing media but also from their employers. A common sense decision can nonetheless be struck down by the ref's employers because it didn't follow whatever the agreed protocol is that week. The ref can then be relegated. Isn't that what happened after the Barcelona game?

If the ref can't be expected to get all the big decisions right, because the interpretation of the laws has become too subjective, then its time to take all the game-changing decisions out of the hands of the officials on the pitch all together.

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But you were shit. Let's be honest.

Anyway, another draw this week, another embarrassment of a post match interview from José. Chelsea had all the talent out of that man. Do you think he has any left?

Anyway, another draw this week, another embarrassment of a post match interview from José. Chelsea had all the talent out of that man. Do you think he has any left?

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Jose is slammed for not showing the journalist "respect". Giving the appearance of not having even bothered to watch the game prior to zoning in immediately afterwards with some inanity is however, for the game, the manager, and the profession, simply the epitome of respect?

Utd are definitely getting there. Anyone who actually watches Utd can see that.

Meanwhile Guardiola demanded Premiership refs have a 'crisis summit' to sort out what is going on. While video refereeing cancelled and awarded (correctly) goals in the Spain v France match in midweek. Bring in video refs and there is no need for a summit. Clearly the way forward.

Our Portuguese Man 0'Draws needs to work out how to get United scoring again, the team is looking pretty toothless without a certain ancient Swede...

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If you had been paying proper attention you would know that (at home) Utd have also looked pretty toothless with a certain ancient Swede...as well as being seriously unlucky - hitting bar and post more than any other side - and on more than one occasion conjuring up MOM displays from the away keeper. It is nevertheless a department that needs fixing.

To return to a twin theme: perfectly good goal egregiously chalked off by linesman. Rather bizarrely, when Ibra being interviewed later, actually asked about the veracity of the decision the commentator still described it as "marginal". Nuts. Oh yeah, hit the bar twice as well.

To return to a twin theme: perfectly good goal egregiously chalked off by linesman. Rather bizarrely, when Ibra being interviewed later, actually asked about the veracity of the decision the commentator still described it as "marginal". Nuts. Oh yeah, hit the bar twice as well.

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So, those other offside goals your team were awarded should be now cancelled?

So, those other offside goals your team were awarded should be now cancelled?

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Yes, and I'd go further. All the games are judged retrospectively after the end of the season. And when the pluses and minuses (dodgy pens, dodgy off-sides, etc) are added up, the real champions (not just the table-toppers) are revealed. It would all be shown live of course. Just imagine the ratings!!!
That, or take the more mundane route and work harder to prevent the reality of little more than guess work deciding fixtures in the first place.

Yes, and I'd go further. All the games are judged retrospectively after the end of the season. And when the pluses and minuses (dodgy pens, dodgy off-sides, etc) are added up, the real champions (not just the table-toppers) are revealed. It would all be shown live of course. Just imagine the ratings!!!
That, or take the more mundane route and work harder to prevent the reality of little more than guess work deciding fixtures in the first place.

Can't remember when I enjoyed a performance as much. Maybe 8-2 against Arsenal? Anyway it was vintage. Fast, inventive, aggressive, with every man determined to win the individual battle. Utd haven't played like that for years. And not just talking here about post Fergie either...this throwback went considerably farther than that. Stand out performer Herrera obviously. But a mention in dispatches for Bailly/Rojo/Fellani/Pogba. Rashford superb. All heart. The contrast with Hazard/Costa was striking. Mourinho might just have been right about them along.

Rojo out all season and Ibra for 9 months +Zlatan Ibrahimovic facing up to a year out with suspected anterior and posterior cruciate ligament ruptures
Getting a bit threadbare at the back then. Feel sorry for Ibra, particularly if they cut him loose at the end of his contract. He's a prick, but an amusing one, this is no way to end his career (in top level football at least, there would still be the opportunity to amble around in America). Of course they might keep him, particularly as 9 months would have him coming back around xmas.

He'll know the situation better than me, but I don't like Mourhino's talk about Jones and Smalling needing to be brave and take a 'risk'. Even if ultimately it's a genuine medical decision as to when they come back, it's out of order to start building pressure on them now.

So, that Liverpool-Palace result means united go 3rd if they beat citeh by 2 goals (if the table I've just looked at was updated). Still, a very difficult run in, playing every 3/4 days, often against the top teams - with a crocked squad. Could still end up 5th.